Malaysian government revokes passports of online critics

Kuala Lumpur (dpa) – Malaysia on Monday revoked the passports of a sex blogger and a political activist for criticizing local rulers in social media, a senior immigration official said.

Alvin Tan and Ali Jalil, both currently overseas, would be sent notifications of the move to their last known addresses in Malaysia, said immigration chief Mustafa Ibrahim.

“We will not tolerate individuals who insult the judiciary and Malay rulers,” he told reporters.

Tan, who fled to the United States to seek political asylum, posted Friday on his Facebook page derogatory remarks against the sultan of the State of Selangor for stripping a title from opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.

Tan is facing multiple charges in Malaysia for posting pornographic videos on a blog with his girlfriend and for posting a Ramadhan greeting with a picture of some pork, forbidden in Islam.

Ali, who is in Sweden seeking political asylum, faces sedition charges for insulting the judiciary and government on his Facebook page.

“Let this be an example to anyone who insults the judiciary, the Malay rulers and Islam. We will not hesitate to take action,” Mustafa said.